Personal Bests

A Look Back.

What a weekend – one of our best yet. It started as any weekend should – with pancakes. Perfect, fluffy pancakes topped with strawberries and syrup.

And then we loaded up our car and headed out to West Seattle. How did it take me an entire year to get here?

It was our first weekend of gorgeous summer weather, so we decided to head to Alki Beach – a spot I have been hearing about since we moved here. West Seattle has some of the most spectacular views I’ve seen out here, with a gorgeous city scape on one side…

And breathtaking mountains on the other. Incredible.

I am cheesy and lame, but I get so excited for Cullen that he is able to grow up in such an awesome place.

Our original plan was to get there early and go for a run along the beach path (hence the workout clothes). It turned out there was a big pirate festival at the beach on Saturday, so we sat in a lot of traffic and had to park pretty far away. So our run turned into a very long walk, which was just as well as it was pretty crowded on the path.

As we walked and soaked in the surroundings, Casey spotted a bald eagle on the beach! A year later and I’m still in awe of the Northwest landscape and wildlife. Very cool.

Being around the mountains typically leads to me stopping and taking no less than 300 photos.

I just never want to forget all this good stuff.

We walked all the way up to the beach,which turned out to be a 2.5 mile stretch from where we parked. Our plan was to throw down a blanket and hang out for a bit, and for some reason I assumed we’d be able to rent an umbrella. The sun was blazing and hot, and with no umbrellas in sight, we realized we’d need a shadier spot for Cullen.

We ended up walking back along the path until we found a grassy spot under a big tree. I think we were all ready for a break!

Before we left, I packed a huge five pound bag of cherries that we picked up the night before at our market. Thank god we had them – we were all starving from walking so far without any lunch in our bellies. The three of us crushed the whole bag. Tis the season.

We sat for a bit to give Cullen a break from the stroller and let him climb and crawl around. If it weren’t for being really hungry, I could have sat there all day.

Eventually we packed up and headed back to our car – a total of over five miles walked along the waterfront. My legs were feeling it! We drove over to Chaco Canyon – one of our favorite Seattle restaurants. This was our first time trying their West Seattle location, and I was surprised that it was much larger and even had a kids’ play area! Too bad our “kid” was way too pooped to play. He rarely sleeps in his car seat, but our afternoon outside had him wiped.

With a side of Thai Mushroom Soup. Both were absolutely delicious. I think I could have eaten three or four more of these pizzas.

We got home just in time for Cullen’s dinner. The weather was so nice I couldn’t stand to be inside. I dragged the high chair onto our patio and we all dined al fresco! Plums and sweet potatoes for him…

And homemade Revel bowls for us (a play off my favorite restaurant dish). Sesame oil brown rice, crispy blackened tofu, spiced mushrooms and kale – all topped with a drippy egg. A slightly labor intensive meal, but so so worth it.

Sea Salt dark chocolate Theo for dessert.

Such a fun day! It definitely won’t take another year to get me back to Alki Beach – this time I will pack my own umbrella.

I went to Alki beach for the first time this Saturday too! I am working as an intern in Renton until the end of the summer and am trying to explore Seattle a bit on my own. Looks like you guys had fun :)

Alki beach is amazing! My first summer out here, a friend took me at low tide. There were starfish EVERYWHERE!!! Being a landlocked midwestern girl it was amazing. Giant Purple, orange, pink and red ones. We even saw a sunstar! I felt like a little kid. Being further south now- I just go to Dash Point for my low tide fix and see the fields of sand dollars, which is so bizare, I had no idea they were black when they are alive.

You were in my neck of the woods! (or beach rather.) I was volunteering at Pirate’s Landing this past Saturday and it was a blast, but it sure does create a traffic nightmare. The middle of the week is much calmer or come early on the weekend to get good parking. I recommend driving up and over the hill rather than around the water front–its much faster. Glad you discovered this secret gem!

Yay! Yeah it was nuts. Parking took foreveeeeerrrrr but it was worth it. I’m definitely planning to go back on a weekday and bring a shade tent! Great tip on driving up over the hill – I kept thinking there had to be a better way than just Harbor. Thanks!

I know what you mean about the Pacific Northwest’s scenery, I live in Portland (originally from the east coast) and the landscape just leaves me in awe. The summers make the dreary months so worth it.

Also I made your roasted cauliflower salad recipe last night and it was wonderful and completely worth turning on the oven in the 90-degree heat. :) Can’t wait for the leftovers today, thank you so much for the recipe!

What a fun day! I’m going to try out the water taxi from downtown to West Seattle next Sat for the West Seattle Fest…should be another sunny (and very busy) weekend over there! Ps. a friend of mine mentioned they took a day trip to Vashon Island on Sat and had the best time…adding that to my list too!

Alki Beach was one of the must-see spots when we visited family out there a few years back. One of my favorite pictures of my daughter was taken there! We didn’t make it to Gasworks Park, and seeing your pictures and posts about it makes me a little sad we missed it. Guess we will have to go back!

Oh, I’ve got to try Chaco Canyon…that looks amazing! I have been meaning to introduce myself. I’ve been reading for awhile and love both the great recipes and seeing what your cute little family is up to. I live in Kirkland too. : )

Looks like a great weekend! Two questions. Are those vegan pancakes. if so whcih recipe? And also, where did ou get that purple tank? I have such a hard time finding tanks that are fitted on top and loose in the bodice.

We cook grains all the time. Our favorites are quinoa (not technically a grain, but similar), millet, brown rice, and farro. I’m surprised that you think we eat a lot of processed meals. I would actually say we eat almost nothing processed, other than tofu and some occasional desserts.

If you looking for really health recipes with a wide range of whole grains check out Oh She Glows, her recipes are very health and she replies to your questions even if there off topic, Emily is quite a lazy cook and self absorbed blogger you’ll notice she’ll only reply if its comments that are helping her, its all about her, and her needs, sorry emily but its true

You had me at Pirate festival. ;) I love that you can see the snow capped mountains beyond the beach…so gorgeous. We’re hoping to get to Seattle when we go to B.C end of summer…I will definitely look up all your posts on what to see & do.

P.S. Sometimes a little beach tent is easier than an umbrella (comes in a carrying case with a shoulder strap). That way it’s perfect for when little ones want to take a nap. I think it’s lighter to carry compared to an umbrella as well. :)

I am in awe of your bald eagle picture! How crazy and fun to be walking along and then, “oh look, there’s a bald eagle.”

When I was living in Texas, I had a similar reaction when I saw my first “wild” armadillo while a friend and I were hiking. It’s like I see animals so many times in zoos and on nature shows that I somehow forget they actually exist outside of that, too. =)

Emily I just love reading your blog. You are not cheesy-what you said about raising Cullen there was so sweet. My husband was born in Tacoma and lived in Federal Way-they moved here to Chicagoland when he was 5 but they would go back and visit friends. He actually has great memories living there. I was lucky enough to go once and it was the best trip. It was several years ago but I know we went to the ice caves, sunrise point (or sunset?) at Mt. Rainier, this incredible temperate rainforest, took a ferry to vancouver island and went to butchart gardens. I tell you all this so maybe you will visit these amazing places too :) Thank you for sharing so much with us!

Sounds like a nice little Sunday – and a delicious dinner! – with the fam. Being away from the city this summer sure does make me miss it! <3
You guys always look so happy, I know Cullen IS going to love growing up there!

That dinner you made looks fabulous! I have a similar “go-to” dinner formula (sauteed kale, rice/sweet potato, and tofu/salmon) but the extras you added to that looks so good! Can you give your recipe for the spiced mushrooms, and explain how you cooked that runny egg? I’m drooling over it :)

Hungry in Austin,
Rachael

PS-your little man is just the cutest! His smile is just so big and joyful! You have a special man on your hands!

Sure! I actually just did the mushrooms and kale in the leftover blackening seasoning with a bit of sesame oil. Cooked until soft. The runny egg is cracked into a hot pan and cooked until the white is almost done on top, then flipped over to finish off for about one minute. Easy!

I made a Korean-inspired recipe out of Cooking Light called Bibimbop that was very similar to the Revel bowl.

It had sesame oil seasoned rice and then sauteed separately with a light soy sauce mixture were spinach, bean sprouts, and shittake mushrooms. It also had pan fried tofu and some shredded carrots lightly blanched in a rice vinegar mixture. And finally, an over easy egg on top. Very similar! It was also a bit over-complicated. I think I’ll give yours a try!

Yes, this is all a great Emily-stalking scheme. I still have your number — I’ll shoot you an e-mail with specifics. I’ve been in touch with Roberts too — I hear you’re seeing some Denidoo folk tomorrow. Have fun!

I was just in Seattle for a work conference and at one of the events they had Theo chocolate and Fran’s chocolate. The sea salt/chocolate combo is AMAZING! I kept going back to the chocolate booths all night!

[...] Cullen cheered from the sidelines. I had only ever been over to West Seattle once before – last summer – and I have been itching to get back. On a clear, summer day this area provides some of [...]

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